Gene Simmons - Musician and Businessman

Sarah Montague talks to musician Gene Simmons, frontman of the rock band Kiss, who realised he could make more money from marketing the Kiss brand than from selling records.

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Sarah Montague talks to musician Gene Simmons. There aren't many people who are recognisable only from their make-up, but mention a zigzag of black flames around the eyes, painted on a white face, and millions of people around the world will know you are talking about the frontman of the rock band Kiss. Take away the makeup and you have Gene Simmons, a man so canny about business that he realised he could make more money from marketing the Kiss brand than from selling records. His famously long tongue has also proved a loose one. He is frequently invited on chat shows and revels in scandalising his critics. But is that also all part of the act?